Drummer's Recording Needs

[ihitstuff]

DPS24 or another route?


MY EXPERIENCE

I'm a songwriting drummer (is this possible?) with acoustic and electronic drums/percussion, a couple synths and a guitar. I currently own NO recording equipment, microphones, cables, effects, etc....

I have NO hands on experience recording, mixing or mastering except for time with an Alesis 8 Track ADAT (hit record and play kind of thing). All of my recording experience has been in other people's studios with them doing all the work for me (and of course, I never paid attention). I hit my drums, they did the rest.


MY MAIN NEEDS:

-I want at least 8 (actually more) xlr inputs to record an entire acoustic drumkit.

-I want to record all of my instruments with the highest quality possible. Looking to create professional CDs.

-I want whatever I buy (a digital workstation, a recorder & board, whatever) to be ready to go out of the box (plug them in, hook up the cables & mics and go at it).

-I'm not overly anxious about mixing and mastering. I'm a musician/artist. I have no desire to be an engineer. If it's friendly, I'd be glad to do it though. (especially if it saves me money and time).


MY FEARS:

(Contrary to what my friends say) I'm not an idiot, but I really fear the DPS24 and other machines like it. Is this way too much for a guy new to self-recording? I'm pretty quick with a PC and I've done a fair job diving into my e-drum sound module...but this DPS24 forum and my time researching the unit has really got me thinking twice.


MY CHOICES:

-Suck it up and get the AKAI. Expect a large learning curve and make it work for me

-Get an Alesis HD24 and a board. Record everything to the best of my ability at home and then take the removable hard drive to someone more talented (real studio).

-What else do YOU recommend?


MY BUDGET

I would like to keep my entire purchase under $4000. Remember I need a recording unit, microphones, cables, some type of monitoring system...what else would I need to have my studio in one purchase?

I saw that Musicians Friends had a package deal with "everything you need". Is this ok? Cheesy?

I welcome any and all ideas.


Thanks!
-I Hit Stuff

 

[ssscientist]

Go with the Akai.

You sound like you're certainly smart enough to work out the operating method of a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) like the DPS24, and once you do it'll be your friend for life. Or as long as you want to stay in the self-recording biz.

Those 'everything you need' packages from Musicians Friend are rarely good deals. They stick products that have been cluttering up their warehouse with one or two hot items and call it a package...

If you did go with the Alesis HD24 and a board you'd be in exactly the same boat as you would be with the Akai but with the added stress of whether or not to add a patchbay. And then what outboard effects to buy. And where to put them.

The Akai DPS24 is a first class machine capable of first class results. Some dynamic/condenser mics, mic cables and stands and some powered monitors and you'll be in the recording business!

 

[mattamatta]

"I'm a songwriting drummer (is this possible?)"

Some of my friends put a band together pretty last minute for our high school battle of the bands senior year, and my drummer friend that was in it wrote 2 of their 3 songs completely. It actually worked pretty well for him, cuz since he could play all of the instruments, he was able to picture all the parts for the song mentally and actually make them a reality.